LOS ANGELES -- Barry Sanders hasn't gained a yard this season and won't play in the Rose Bowl on Tuesday. But in his own way, the freshman tailback has contributed to Stanford's success.

Sanders imitates opposing running backs to prepare the Cardinal defense for what it will face in games. He's Ka'Deem Carey of Arizona or Kenjon Barner of Oregon or Johnathan Franklin of UCLA.

In the final performance of his redshirt season, Sanders has played the part of Montee Ball, the Wisconsin senior who averages 133 yards per game and won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back.

"The coaches told me that (Ball) has a tendency to spin, so I've tried to incorporate that into my runs,'' Sanders said. "But it has to come naturally."

Even in his natural state, Sanders possesses much of the same elusiveness that defines Ball, one of the most accomplished runners in history.

The two-time consensus All-American has 5,040 career yards and holds the NCAA career records for total touchdowns (82) and rushing touchdowns (78).

Ball was a Heisman Trophy finalist last season when he scored 39 touchdowns and tied the single-season record held by none other than Sanders' father, Barry, the former Oklahoma State star and Pro Football Hall of Famer.